Side tables can be some of the trickiest types of furniture to decorate. Their size may limit what you can do with them, which is why many people set down a lamp or plant and call it a day. The good news is there are many ways to decorate a side table attractively! Knowing what kinds of items work best for side table decoration ensures you’ll be able to further enhance your home decor.

Steps

Method1

Sprucing up Living Room Side Tables

1

Place a vase on top of your side table for a classical look. You can easily find attractive decorative vases at your nearest department store or home decor outlet. Pick a simple vase that matches the color of another accessory in your living room, like the throw pillows on your couch. Alternatively, create visual interest by choosing a vase with cutout designs. When set near a lamp, a cutout vase will cast appealing shadows along the top of your side table.[1]

2

Arrange a trio of glass bottles to create a simple but artsy aesthetic. Pick a style of glass that appeals to you; both opaque and clear glass work as side table decorations. Color is most important for decorating with glass bottles. Try to pick glass bottles in colors that are not identical, but work well together (like violet, pink, and magenta or teal, mint green, and ocean blue). You can also place flowers or sand inside the bottles for an extra touch.[2]

3

Set up a “statement decoration” to add a bolder touch to your decor. Purchase an item that really catches your eye, whether it be a plant, sculpture, decorative box, lamp, or something similar. Place it in the middle of the side table on its own so it can take center stage. This decorative choice is simple, but will prove effective at drawing the eyes of your guests.[3]

4

Stack books on the side table for a designer, intellectual look. Small coffee table books can be set on top of your side tables. Try to pick books with the most appealing designs. Vibrantly designed books make the best choices. Watch out for interesting lettering and color schemes. Try to pick books of different thicknesses as well for further visual interest. If you want to make your decorating a bit more personal, try to pick books that focus on subject matter you enjoy, such as photos of kittens or gorgeous cityscapes.[4]

5

Create a theme for your side table decor for a personalized touch. Your theme could be anything that appeals to you or hearken back to a favorite memory. For instance, if you’re a lover of the outdoors, decorate your side table with flowers, plants, and stones. If you recently traveled to an amazing city, place souvenirs (such as a mini Eiffel Tower or tiny Kyoto shrine gates) and travel photos from that city on your side table.[5]

6

Arrange decorative jars on the side table to give a subtle, elegant effect. While you can use plain jars, decorative glass jars make a stronger impression. Pick jars with gorgeous etchings or your favorite saying scrawled on the sides. If you want, fill your jar with glass beads or your favorite type of candy.[6]

7

Set a potted plant on top of your side table for a simple, natural look. Houseplants are a classic decor item and are perfect for side tables. Make a potted plant a standalone centerpiece on your side table, or group it with other items, such as decorative jars and a stack of books. Mini ferns and succulents (like cacti and aloe) are great plants to decorate with; succulents also have the advantage of being easy to care for. If you don’t want to care for a live plant, purchase a fake plant to decorate with.

8

Add flowers to your side table if you like classical and romantic decor. Your flowers can be real or artificial, and of any color or species you like. If you’d prefer real flowers, consider using flowers from your home garden or buy flowers from your grocery store’s florist section, and replace them as they wilt. Alternatively, use dried flowers. You can keep your flowers in a vase or bundle them and lay them across the table.[7]

Method2

Adorning Your Bedroom Side Table

1

Place a mirror on your table to amplify the surrounding space. Mirrors are well known for making a room look bigger. If you can’t find a small mirror to place on your table, set a larger one at an angle so half of it sits on the table and the other half leans against the wall. Square or rectangular mirrors may be the safer choice to place on side tables; their shape lends more support.[8]

2

Set a basket underneath your side table to take advantage of extra space. Fill in the empty space underneath your side table by setting down a basket. You can fill it with books for a more utilitarian look, or place a thatch of artificial flowers inside for a cute and romantic touch. Alternatively, use the basket as storage for those items you don’t have room for.[9]

3

Store vanity items on your side table for a personal touch or extra storage. If you don’t have a lot of room in your bathroom or on top of your vanity, or simply want to show off more of your personality, arrange your favorite cosmetics, jewelry, or bottle of perfume on the side table. Try to pick the most attractive items, such as a jewel pendant or bottle of Chanel No.5.[10]

4

Place scented candles on the side table for elegant, multipurpose decor. Scented candles offer the double advantage of being as pleasant to smell as they are to look at. Try to pick candles in your favorite scents and light them at your leisure. Alternatively, if you don’t like scented candles, use regular candles in decorative holders. Set out candles in round jars, or buy a pack of tea candles and a decorative tea candle holder.[11]

5

Arrange metallic decorations on top of your table to create contrast. Metallic accents easily grab the eye. Look for small sculptures made out of brass, silver, or gold. Place a pair of brass turtles on top of your side table, or a set up a Newton’s cradle. Alternatively, buy metallic picture frames to place your favorite photos inside of.[12]

6

Add a decorative lamp for an easy but visually appealing effect. Plain lamps can accent a side table, but won’t create as much visual interest. Consider using a lamp with interesting accents, such as gold designs, color blocking, or cutout patterns. Complement the lamp with smaller decorative items, such as a plant or family photographs.[13]

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Community Q&A

Tips

Try to group your decorations in threes (or another odd number). You can do this by sectioning your side table off into three groups to decorate, or use decorations of the same type (books, jars, or plants) three at a time.[14]

Use items of different sizes to create visual interest. For instance, you could pair a vase with a decorative jar and small house plant.[15]

Don’t be afraid to play with color! If you aren’t sure how to combine decor colors in an attractive way, use an online color scheme generator like https://color.adobe.com/. Alternatively, try to match your decor to the color scheme you’ve already set up for your room.

If you have a pair of side tables, consider arranging matching decorations on top of them.[16]

Warnings

Keep size in mind. Don’t use decor that’s too big or wide for your side table to support.